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Learning Standards Standards

What does a student learn in ?

Massachusetts writes its own curriculum frameworks rather than adopting national ones wholesale, and it has revised them on a steady cycle since the 1993 education reform law. The frameworks for math and reading were last rewritten in 2017, science in 2016, and history in 2018. The through-line is a state that treats its standards as a public document worth maintaining, not a one-time adoption.

  • Massachusetts DESE — Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework
  • Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — CTE / Career Ready Practices
  • Massachusetts DESE — Digital Literacy and Computer Science Framework
  • Massachusetts DESE — Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework
  • Massachusetts DESE — Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework (PE)
  • Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — SEL (CASEL-aligned)
  • Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — World Languages (ACTFL-aligned)
Source: Massachusetts Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
The shape of K-12
A plain-language read of how the state runs school.
What students learn
Math and reading follow the 2017 Massachusetts frameworks, which keep the Common Core spine but add state-specific expectations on top. Science is taught from the 2016 Science and Technology/Engineering framework, which folds engineering design into every grade band alongside biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. History runs as a K-12 sequence ending with a year of United States government and civics in high school.
How students are measured
The main test is the MCAS, given every spring. Students in grades 3 through 8 sit for reading and math, with science added in grades 5 and 8. In grade 10, students take the high school MCAS in reading and math, and a Biology MCAS once they finish the course. A sample of fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders also takes the federal NAEP in winter, which feeds state-by-state comparisons rather than any individual record.
Frameworks adopted, by subject
The standards documents the state writes against in each subject.
Subject Framework Adopted Source
English Language Arts
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
2017View
Mathematics
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
2017View
Science
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
2016View
Social Studies
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
2018View
Computer Science & Digital Fluency
Massachusetts DESE — Digital Literacy and Computer Science FrameworkK-12 CS Framework-aligned
2016View
Arts: Visual Arts
Massachusetts DESE — Massachusetts Arts Curriculum FrameworkNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Dance
Massachusetts DESE — Massachusetts Arts Curriculum FrameworkNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Media Arts
Massachusetts DESE — Massachusetts Arts Curriculum FrameworkNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Music
Massachusetts DESE — Massachusetts Arts Curriculum FrameworkNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Theatre
Massachusetts DESE — Massachusetts Arts Curriculum FrameworkNCAS-aligned
2014View
World Languages
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — World Languages (ACTFL-aligned)ACTFL-aligned
2015View
Physical Education
Massachusetts DESE — Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework (PE)SHAPE-aligned
2024View
Health Education
Massachusetts DESE — Comprehensive Health Curriculum FrameworkNHES-aligned
2022View
Career Development & Occupational Studies
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — CTE / Career Ready PracticesCCTC-aligned
2012View
Social Emotional Learning
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — SEL (CASEL-aligned)CASEL-aligned
2020View
Assessments
The tests students take across K-12, grouped by purpose.

Other

Tests that do not fit the buckets above.

State Summative

MCAS: ELA/Literacy (Grades 3-8)

Massachusetts's spring summative test in reading and writing for grades 3 through 8, aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for ELA.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

MCAS: Mathematics (Grades 3-8)

Massachusetts's spring summative math test for grades 3 through 8, aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

MCAS: Science (Grade 5)

Science and Technology/Engineering assessment in grade 5, aligned to the Massachusetts STE Curriculum Framework.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

MCAS: Science (Grade 8)

Science and Technology/Engineering assessment in grade 8, aligned to the Massachusetts STE Curriculum Framework.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

MCAS HS: English Language Arts (Grade 10)

High school MCAS in English Language Arts, administered in grade 10.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

MCAS HS: Mathematics (Grade 10)

High school MCAS in Mathematics, administered in grade 10.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

MCAS HS: Biology

High school MCAS in Biology, aligned to the Massachusetts STE Curriculum Framework. Taken after completion of a biology course.

When given:
by course completion
Frequency:
by course completion
Official source
National Monitoring

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Federally administered sample-based assessment in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. NAEP results inform state-by-state comparisons rather than individual student or school accountability.

When given:
biennial in winter
Frequency:
every two years
Official source
Browse by grade and subject
Pick a cell to see exactly what students learn that year.
Subjects covered
15
Grade levels
14
Standards on file
1,857
Assessments tracked
8
Most recent adoption
2024
Common questions
  • What is the MCAS, and who has to take it?

    The MCAS is the spring state test. Students in grades 3 through 8 take it in reading, writing, and math, with science added in grades 5 and 8. In high school, students take MCAS in English and math in grade 10, plus a biology test after finishing the biology course.

  • Does Massachusetts use Common Core?

    The reading, writing, and math standards started from Common Core but were revised by the state in 2017. Science follows a separate Massachusetts framework adopted in 2016, and social studies was updated in 2018. The state writes and owns the current versions.

  • Which subjects have official state standards beyond reading, math, and science?

    Massachusetts has frameworks for social studies, digital literacy and computer science, the arts, world languages, health, physical education, career and technical education, and social emotional learning. Not every subject is tested, but each has standards that describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade.

  • How often do the standards change?

    The state revises each subject on its own schedule, usually every six to ten years. Reading, writing, and math were last updated in 2017, and health was refreshed in 2022. A subject can sit untouched for years before the next revision cycle begins.

  • Where can families see what students are expected to learn this year?

    The rest of this page lists the standards by grade and subject. Pick a grade to see the specific skills students work on, the texts and topics they cover, and how those skills build toward the spring MCAS.

Sources
Every page link goes back to the state's own document.

Frameworks

Assessments